Posted on August 19, 2016
Most often, second chances are given to romantic relationships or teenager indiscretions or BFFs. They’re a way to give the people involved another opportunity to correct some problem and reconnect. I’m all for it. But in this case, second chance refers to returning to a new restaurant for a second helping when the first was less than filling.
I wouldn’t even have mentioned that I’d been to the café in question back in May when the server stood at our table. But my friend told her that I’d had a most unimpressive experience when the restaurant first opened and that I hadn’t planned to return. But said friend had eaten there a week ago and gave glowing reports. Which is why I agreed to a second chance.
How did it turn out? Not badly. The server was most accommodating once she learned I was a reluctant diner; she offered more than one apology and thanked me for returning. I gave all the credit to my friend; because if she hadn’t chosen this place, it would still be on my short list.
Our food was excellent, although a little slow in arriving. But once it came we dove in and enjoyed every bite. For the finale, one of the restaurant’s owners graced us with two desserts to take home because she’d learned that I’d had a bad experience. All in all, Full Circle Café in Stevensville did a yeoman’s job of earning a second chance.
See more 10 Minutes in category Changing Scene, Dining/Food
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Posted on August 16, 2016
Unless you’ve chased geese, researched their habits to learn how to dissuade them, and had to purchase a new broom with which to fend them off, you have no idea how wonderful this current summer is. It’s the first one in four years where Canada’s contribution to the goose species hasn’t been a nuisance where I live. And this newly found tranquility is wonderful.
This past spring, the condo association where I live approved monies to erect an attractive fence around the perimeter of the pond that is part of our property and that of a dozen or so other families. The object was to keep the geese away by creating a barrier between the water and our lawns, so that the geese would not have easy access back and forth.
We are now into the middle of August, and I’m thrilled to say that after a few encounters early-on the geese have decided to abandon their territory for somewhere else. May it only be far away!
I think about this regularly as I deadhead flowers, water plants, or just sit on my glider. I can walk barefoot in my lawn without stepping in “goose gifts.” I can sleep in without hearing honks before daylight. And I can use my broom for what it was originally intended. How could summer be any better?
See more 10 Minutes in category Flora/Fauna
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Posted on August 14, 2016
Tonight my book club meets to discuss Last Stop on Market Street. It sounds as if it’s a murder mystery or possibly a case of amnesia. Maybe it’s about time travel or a farmer’s market.
But I’m hosting the discussion, and I can tell you it’s not about any of those themes. It’s the 2016 Newbery Award winner, and it’s a gentle children’s book. The Newbery is usually given to a middle grade novel or a young adult book. But this year, Matt de la Pena became the first Hispanic author to win for a children’s story.
Given that I’ve just published a children’s book, I’m thrilled. And given that children’s literature is seeing a Renaissance only heightens my excitement. It gives me hope that my own Philip & Phoebe is in a good place.
I’ve followed children’s literature closely over the years. From E.B. White to Dr. Seuss to Lois Lowery, it’s a trove of excellent writing that explores a multitude of topics and themes. If you don’t believe me, read Number the Stars or Johnny Tremain; and you’ll become a convert. Which is what I hope to accomplish tonight during our book discussion.
See more 10 Minutes in category Things to Ponder, Writing
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Posted on August 12, 2016
We are one week into the 2016 Summer Olympics. The gymnasts have left the building and the track and field stars have taken their place. The swimming competition is winding down with Michael Phelps looking forward to his final swim in the relay. And the Americans have done a yeoman’s job of standing on the podium. I’ve loved it all.
But I must say I’m becoming disgruntled with NBC’s presentation of the Games. Frankly, it seems sexist. There has been more coverage of the men’s events, even though American men have taken a back seat to American women – Michael Phelps excepted. There have been comments about the men’s athleticism while the women have been described by their clothing and their beauty. Simone Biles, for instance, has been called the next Usain Bolt or the next Michael Phelps. To which she replied, “I’m the first Simone Biles.”
I get what NBC was saying, that Ms. Biles is in the company of Bolt and Phelps. But it could have said just that, acknowledging her singularity without being sexist. Still, Trump and Clinton have to compete with athletes for national attention for another week. So I’ll take it.
See more 10 Minutes in category Special Events
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Posted on August 8, 2016
The 2016 Olympics in Rio have been in full swing for three days, and I’m loving it even though I haven’t seen all of the coverage. My favorite events are swimming, gymnastics, high diving, and track and field. But I’m still thankful for volleyball, table tennis, bicycling, and basketball.
It isn’t that I’m such a great sports buff. What I like most is that every four years the Summer Olympics give Americans a two-week respite from the presidential election campaign that runs simultaneously. This year’s race has been particularly vitriolic, so I’m more than willing to see some cooperation among countries on the playing field.
Sure there are the doping accusations and the banning of various teams and team members. Sure the Williams sisters were upset in their quest for tennis gold. And sure Bob Costa’s close-ups are belying his age. But the real pleasure is in subduing the constant back and forth between Candidate Clinton and Candidate Trump (Listed here alphabetically. Don’t read anything into this.) and the constant media coverage of it.
The Olympics always offer tender moments that cross country lines and philosophies. Take the selfie of a North Korean athlete and a South Korean athlete that’s gone viral. In the real world, this would never have happened. And, yet, isn’t that part of the Olympic tradition? That people from all countries come together to compete, not in a political arena, but in one where physical ability is honored.
See more 10 Minutes in category Special Events, Things to Ponder
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Posted on August 6, 2016
So . . . if you’re not on the Spectacled Bear mailing list or my own Anne Brandt mailing list, you wouldn’t know that we launched the publishing company site forty-eight hours ago. After months of preparation, we are ready to debut our first book, Philip & Phoebe, and begin what we believe will be a wonderful career as a publishing company.
A company that believes “gentle” reads should be a niche unto itself. Just like vampires and paranormal and chick lit are. Only gentler. Of course, it mirrors the bigger picture; that of our society mired in catcalling candidates, calculated confrontations, and confusing conundrums. Gentle is a difficult sell these days.
But that is what Spectacled Bear is all about. This is not to be confused with boring. One can be gentle without putting readers to sleep. Visit www.spectacledbear.com, order Philip & Phoebe, and see for yourself.
See more 10 Minutes in category Special Events, Writing
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Posted on August 2, 2016
This young woman is Annie Poon, the illustrator of Philip & Phoebe. We met a few years ago in New York City and have been friends ever since. So it was natural to ask her to illustrate the first book of my new publishing company, Spectacled Bear.
After I sent her the manuscript, we had several meetings; and one of the things she said struck me as so accurate. “Anne, you’ve got too many words. Much of your script can be shown in pictures.”
I thought about this as she proceeded to share examples. And, sure enough, my original 1500-word story is now reduced to about 450 words. Still, it’s the right 450 words, because Annie’s illustrations really do the talking.
See more 10 Minutes in category Writing
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Posted on August 1, 2016
Here is the front cover of Philip & Phoebe, the first book published by Spectacled Bear. It debuts in three days. Our press kit notes that this little story was forty years in the making. But the theme is just as relevant today as it was when I wrote it.
Sign up at www.spectacledbear.com to get an email the moment we launch the site and the book.
See more 10 Minutes in category Special Events, Writing
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Posted on July 31, 2016
As the DNC Convention and July both disappear, my attention focuses on the launch of my new company, Spectacled Bear Publishing, scheduled for the first week of August. It’s been almost a year in development.
What you see here is the stylized logo of a bear wearing glasses and the tagline: Saving gentle reads from extinction. What you don’t see are all the people behind this project: the illustrator, the designer, the IT/marketing guru, my administrative assistant, and the adults and children who offered their comments and suggestions on the first book, Philip & Phoebe.
You don’t see the tremendous work Walsworth Publishing did on the book’s actual printing or how it will manage the fulfillment of orders around the country. And you definitely don’t see my husband Earl either, although his support has been both constant and encouraging.
But all these people are behind this little bear in its quest to offer gentle reads in today’s grizzly world. And be assured that ‘gentle’ does not mean ‘boring.’ Go to www.spectacledbear.com and sign up for the company’s newsletter in the space provided. When we launch, you’ll be among the first to see for yourself what collaboration accomplishes.
Posted on July 30, 2016
I’m not much for sport bars where the menu items are described in typical game jargon. You know: A slam dunk is code for a hamburger while the end zone is where desserts live. Still, there is one such-themed restaurant that both Earl and I like well enough. It’s called Coach’s and has a silver whistle as the apostrophe in the name.
When we can’t agree on where to enjoy “Date Night,” we often end up at Coach’s. One look at the parking lot suggests there’s a waiting line (or is that a front line or a finish line?), but it’s deceiving. The bar is packed, but the separate dining room is usually quiet.
Last night was no exception. We settled into a booth, ordered our usual libations, then studied the menu. Having been to Coach’s before, I knew what to expect. So Pep Talks for appetizers didn’t throw me. Nor did Lombardi Curds (cheese) or Championship Rings (onions). The Hat Trick did need explanation: queso dip, spinach and artichoke dip, and guacamole all served together. I passed on all these items.
I didn’t choose the Ty Cobb (salad), the Lou Holtz (club sandwich), or the Phil Jackson (beef sandwich) either. Instead I settled on one of the Home Plates (Yeah, I know!) mostly because it didn’t have a cutesy name. It was just plain old fish and chips. It came with Sideliners, but I declined those too.
After working all week, I don’t want to be challenged to decipher what I’m eating. Still — and this is why we return to Coach’s – the food was really good.
